Player's Stories

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Russia, But Were Afraid to Ask
By Bill Marczak

Obtaining a Visa for entry to Russia

Below is a copy of information for people wishing to travel to Russia, put out by Maria Travel, which is based in Moscow. Contact Olessia Lopatko by email at maritour@online.ru or visit their website at www.maria-travel.com

Others offering visa services:
www.andrews-consulting.ru
www.visahouse.com

Note that the time frame for obtaining visas can be expedited upon payment of additional fees. You should also check with the visa department in your home country as to any special requirements they may have, as each embassy seems to have its own. An example is medical insurance, which is not always required. For 12 month business visas, you will often be asked for an HIV negative certificate - the Russian Foreign Affairs department does require this, but once your local embassy has issued a visa, there won't be a problem if you don't have medical insurance or an HIV certificate.

MARIA TRAVEL VISA SERVICE

If you are planning to visit Russia you need a Russian entry visa. According to the purpose of your trip you can obtain a business, tourist or private visa.

Visas can be obtained at Russian consulates worldwide upon presentation of an invitation from a company authorized to provide visa support by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.

In order to obtain a Russian visa, you should submit the following papers to a Consular Section:

1. completed visa application form (one per person);
2. valid national passport; it must be valid not less than 3 months prior to the intended date of departure from Russia;
3. three standard passport-size pictures;
4. invitation from an authorized organization;
5. medical insurance;
6. document confirming the payment for visa support.

Maria agency is glad to offer you Russian tourist and business visa support. To order visa support, please fill in our order form and send it and a copy of your passport (for business visa support) to us by fax. Once we have all the necessary documents and payment we'll start processing. Visa support rates don't include the cost of the Russian Consulate charges in your country.

Tourist visa
The tourist visa is valid for your stay in Russia for a term up to one month. Tourist visas are usually valid for a single entry. Double-entry visa can also be obtained. This possibility depends on the details of your trip. Tourist visas service costs $30 per person. It's a same-day service.

Business visa
Our current rates for business invitations to Russia are listed below:

Visa	Duration	Processing time	Rate, $
Single entry	1 month	1 bus. day	60
	1 month	3 bus. days	55
	1 month	8 bus. days	50
	1 month	10 bus. days	45
	3 months	1 bus. day	65
	3 months	3 bus. days	60
	3 months	8 bus. days	55
	3 months	10 bus. days	50
Double entry	1 month	1 bus. day	65
	1 month	3 bus. days	60
	1 month	8 bus. days	55
	1 month	10 bus. days	55
	3 months	1 bus. days	70
	3 months	3 bus. days	65
	3 months	8 bus. days	60
	3 months	10 bus. days	55
Multi-entry	6 months	16 bus. days	120
	6 months	11 bus. days	140
	1 year	16 bus. days	150
	1 year	11 bus. days	170

Payment
We accept payment by credit card, banking transfer or in cash (if you have a representative in Moscow). Please see details in the order form. WE OFFER DISCOUNTS FOR CORPORATE CLIENTS. Please contact us to discuss this proposition.

Registration
Under Russian law, all foreigners entering the territory of Russia must be registered. Not registering might lead to problems. You should register your visa at our office within 3 days of arrival.

The essential requirement is a letter of invitation issued by a company in Russia that has accreditation with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is the Visa Support Letter which you submit to your local Russian embassy when applying for a visa. Usually your travel agent will be able to organize everything, perhaps with the exception of the Visa Support Letter. You can apply to one of the firms mentioned above for such letter of invitation. When it has been issued it will usually be faxed to the embassy you have advised, with a reference number, or it may be faxed directly to you.

Once you have an issued letter of invitation, you must apply for the visa within the time frame on the invitation, and you must travel within the period specified in the visa granted to you.

The entire process of getting a visa to Russia can take up to 4 weeks, but usually it can all be completed within 24 working days if you apply for an expedited visa, and often even quicker.

MOSCOW
AT THE AIRPORT ON ENTRY

Fill in a customs declaration form, especially as to the amount of foreign currency you are carrying. When you leave Russia you can take out $1,500 USD (or equal value in other currency), or an amount approximately equal to the amount you declared upon entry (less reasonable expenses). Excess cash can be transferred out of Russia by bank transfer or with Western Union before you leave.

LEAVING THE AIRPORT: If you haven't made arrangements to be picked up at the airport, expect to pay 900 to 1500 roubles ($30-$50 USD) for a cab to the Centre. You can probably negotiate down to about 700-800 roubles, but it won't be easy - they know they've got you right where they want you. There is a multiple passenger mini bus that is much cheaper.

Once you enter Russia you need to register, and your hotel will automatically do this if you remind them. Once you have entered Russia you can move about freely and without restriction.

OVERSTAYING YOUR VISA DATE: This is not a problem, as visas can usually be extended 2 or 3 times. However, you should do this before the visa expires - but even if you don't, the fines are quite small if you happen to get checked by the traffic police.

DOCUMENT CHECKS: Always carry your passport with you, as spot checks by traffic control police occur quite often. Usually it is the driver who is asked to show documentation, but occasionally passengers will be also.

ATM'S: Situated everywhere, but there are limits on how much you can withdraw in any 24 hour period, irrespective of any arrangements you may have made with your bank.

TAXIS: Every car in Moscow is a taxi - just stand by the curb and hail any passing car. You'll rarely have to wait more than 1 minute. Then just negotiate a price. Daytime fares range from 40-100 roubles, and at night they range from 100 to 200.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Metro, bus or tram: Simple user-friendly system, and very cheap. The underground fare for 1 trip is 5 roubles.

WALKING AROUND MOSCOW: Moscow is one of the safest cities in the world. With a population of 11 million, there are always scores of people wherever you are. This is so both day and night as Moscow is truly a 24 hour city.

CURRENCY: About 28 - 29 roubles to the dollar. US dollars are accepted everywhere, but you will usually have to pay in roubles for day-to-day expenses in shops, most restaurants, cab fares etc. Currency exchanges are everywhere, every 100 metres or so, in shops, in casinos etc. Other currencies will be accepted at banks, and at most currency exchanges, but use US dollars, Deutsch Marks or English pounds, and you won't have any problems changing money.

EATING OUT: Restaurants can be found everywhere, and range from the typical Russian bar where you can get good hearty Russian fare at really cheap prices - 3 to 4 US Dollars, to 5 star restaurants that can cost up to $200 a person. A typical non-Russian meal in a good restaurant will cost from $15 - $50. There are literally thousands of restaurants in Moscow serving a wide variety of cuisines.

The following is a list of reliable restaurants serving excellent food:

1. Genatsvale- Georgian-$7-$12 - 12/1 Ostozhenka St-Metro: Kropotinskaya
2. Zolotaya Tubeteika- Uzbek-$5-$10 - 52,2nd Brestkaya St.
3. Maharajah-Indian of the highest standard-$12-$25 - 2/1 Pokravka St.
4. Yakitoria-Excellent Japanese-$8-$15 - 1st-aya-Tverskaya-Yamskaya St. Metro Belaruskiya
5. Druzba-good Chinese-$12-$30 - 4 Novoslobadskaya St, right at metro Novoslobadskaya.
6. Kotleta Haus-Russian-$6-$12- 57 Leninsky Praspekt (metro-Leninsky Pr)
7. Moskva-Berlin-best coffee & cakes in Moscow, meals also-$5-$10- 52/2 Tverskaya-Zastava, Metro: Belaruskiya
8. The Exchange at Radisson-Slavanskaya Hotel - Imported prime beef, the best steaks in town - $30-$50.
9. Mesto Vstrechy- Russian & International - super food at reasonable prices- $15-$30 - 9/8 Maly Gnedzikovsky Pereyulok: near Metro Pushkinskaya
10. Mekhano Bansko - Yugoslav grill-great restaurant - $20-$40 - 9/1 Smolenskaya square
11. American Bar & Grill-standard American menu with burgers, steaks, etc. $9-$15 2/1 1st Tverskaya-Yamskaya St
12. Cleopatra-Middle Eastern-$15-$30 - 26 Olympisky Praspekt - metro Praspekt Mira.
13. Corona Casino restaurant - international food of the highest standard & cheap - $10-$20 - 15 Novy Arbat

PEDESTRIANS: Pedestrians have no right of way (unofficially), so be careful when crossing a street because drivers will run you down rather than stop for you. Some streets can only be crossed at special underground passageways, and it is illegal to cross except by this method. With 6 to 10 lanes on each side of the road, crossing is next to impossible except by underground passage.

FACE CONTROL: This refers to the system of security checks that many places use to screen customers, usually nightclubs, some casinos, banks & other places. Bags & documents will usually be checked, and some places have metal detection entrances. Be sure to leave guns, knives & other weapons in your hotel room, or only go to places with no face control. Bulging pockets can be a cause for alarm, so try to avoid carrying bulky items. Learning the Russian equivalent for the following list of (formerly) useful expressions is no longer necessary in modern-day Moscow.

1. Thank you for showing me your marvellous gun.
2. I am delighted to accept your kind invitation to lie on the floor with my arms above my head and my legs apart.
3. I agree with everything you have ever said or thought in your life.
4. It is exceptionally kind of you to allow me to travel in the trunk of your car.
5. If you will do me the kindness of not harming my genital appendages, I will gladly reciprocate by betraying my country in public.
6. The red blindfold will be lovely , excellency.
7. The water-soaked breadcrumbs are delicious, thank you. I must have the recipe.

SIGHTSEEING: Lots to see and do in Moscow. All the old standards like The Kremlin, Red Square, Victory Park, the Bolshoi Theatre, the Arbat pedestrian area, etc. Get hold of a tourist magazine called "Where", available at many hotels. English language newspapers include "The Moscow Times", "Russia Journal" (both have websites) for sightseeing details and other things of interest, and one called "Exile" for listings of restaurants, clubs, discos, nightclubs and other nighttime activities.

HEALTH SERVICES: Lots of Western-staffed medical clinics, dental clinics, emergency services, etc. For many males the major problem is neck strain. To guard against this, whenever you turn to look at another beautiful woman, always turn your whole body and don't just turn your head. There are so many beautiful women in Moscow that you should take this advice seriously.

DRINKING WATER: The water in Moscow is fairly clean but contains various micro-organisms that can cause discomfort. It is recommended that you use bottled water for drinking.

TIPPING: Russians rarely tip, or tip small amounts like 20-50 roubles, but foreigners are expected to tip up to about 10% of the bill. Please yourself.

SERVICE: Don't expect Western standard service - the work ethic and attention to service is unique here. You must make it clear that you want service by talking directly to service staff, otherwise you could be waiting for hours (no joke!). Then, if they don't understand you they'll walk away in the middle of the "conversation". Don't complain about service either, it'll be like water off a duck's back AND you'll make them angry.

COMPLAINTS: Usually won't do you any good. In restaurants when ordering, make sure the waiter takes it in quintuplicate - one each for the waiter, the chef, the manager, you & any passerby who can act as a mediator in the event of a dispute. If you want to send food back to the kitchen, the procedure is for all the staff to have a taste as well as a couple of people dragged in off the street, all of whom will find the food very fresh & tasty - at these times the language barrier will be in evidence, with not one person speaking a word of English. When ordering it's important to specify the order in which you want the food to arrive. Also,unless you have eaten every morsel from your plate, the next course won't arrive.

LANGUAGE: English is spoken in some places, and there is a little German - that's about it. Bring along a small English-Russian everyday phrasebook - it will come in very handy.

WEATHER: Winter - mid-November to mid-March - temperatures 0 to -15 Celsius is typical. Autumn and Spring - temps -5 to +15. Summer can get quite hot ranging from 15 to 30 Celsius.

WEBSITES:
www.expat.ru
www.russiajournal.com
www.themoscowtimes.com
www.loot.ru
www.exile.ru

INTERNET ACCESS: Internet Club:12 Kuznetsky Most Tel:9242140 (English spoken). Lots of other places for internet access.

WESTERN UNION: For transfer of money outside Russia. Red Square (Krasnaya Ploshad) in the GUM department store complex. Tel: 7972194. There are other places in Moscow where Western Union services are available.

SUPERMARKETS: Ramstor - several sites in Moscow, and one of the best for imported goods and food, alcohol, stationary, etc.
Seventh Continent - several throughout Moscow providing a wide range of local & imported foods.
Progress - Zubovsky Boulevarde near Metro Park Kultury - has just about everything.

MARKETS: There are markets throughout Moscow , often situated near the entrances to the Metro or in nearby streets. You can buy just about anything, ranging from fresh fruit, vegetables and other foods, clothing such as leather coats for $50, souvenirs, electrical goods, CD's & computer games & programs (usually black market copies - e.g. Microsoft Word for 200 roubles, latest release videos for 100 roubles, etc.). Prices are cheaper than in shops, and haggling is mandatory, unless you're happy to pay $17 for an apple.

MOSCOW BY NIGHT: The world's hottest nightlife action with nightclubs; bars; dance clubs; entertainment complexes encompassing activities like ten pin bowling,billiards, Pool & danceclub where the action can be frenetic; bars & restaurants which also provide shows, live music etc; erotic clubs ranging from sleaze to high class shows in Vegas-style casinos. For a comprehensive & tongue-in-cheek revue of night-time action in Moscow get an English language newspaper called "Exile", or the "Lifestyle" liftout in the Russia Journal, another English language newspaper. "Must see" places include the Hungry Duck, Doug & Marty's Boarhouse (always referred to by its old name "Chesterfields"), Night Flight, Safari Lodge & several others that need to be seen to be believed & will have you believing in the return of "Sodom & Gomorrah."

FACTS & FIGURES:

1. Almost 50% of the male population is classified as alcoholic or have alcohol related problems.
2. There are 20,000 US Dollar millionaires in Moscow alone.
3. No two streets in Moscow have the same name.
4. Thousands of "home mushroom pickers" die in Russia every year from mushroom poisoning - don't go out to the forests to pick your own.
5. There are "officially" 450,000 prostitutes in Moscow & AIDS is really becoming popular here.
6. Don't stand about looking up, as you will soon have a crowd trying to see what's going on up there, and this could cause traffic problems.
7. 99.973% of the male population & 0.0004% of the female population use traditional swear words in everyday conversation.
8. When giving flowers, always give an odd number. Even numbers are considered bad luck.
9. When entering someone's home, ALWAYS remove your shoes at the inside hallway area.
10. When eating don't discuss or even mention medical ailments or problems.
11. When leaving someone's home you should briefly look into the mirror & smile.

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